Fund-raisers were all kid stuff

10/19/2013
BY BARBARA HENDEL
BLADE SOCIETY EDITOR
  • Barbara-Hendel-column

    Hendel.

  • Hendel.
    Hendel.

    They tipped their glasses to science at the Bash 4 on Oct. 12 for Imagination Station’s fourth annual fund-raiser presented by Toledo Refining Company.

    The Toledo School for the Arts Glass City Steel kicked off the night with peppy tunes that signaled it was party time.

    Artist David Garibaldi during The Bash Saturday, Oct. 12, 2013, at Imagination Station in Toledo, Ohio.
    Artist David Garibaldi during The Bash Saturday, Oct. 12, 2013, at Imagination Station in Toledo, Ohio.

    The Chicosun Las Vegas Flair Bartenders juggled bottles and set cocktails aflame. More than 20 restaurants tantalized taste buds with their soups, pastas, hors d’oeuvres, salads, desserts, and more at food stations scattered through the science center.

    Click here to view related gallery.

    Jay Berschback of WTVG-TV, Channel 13, welcomed everyone and introduced painter David Garibaldi, who mesmerized folks as he created works of art that were auctioned. Jen and Mike Koralewski bought the Darth Vader painting. Phil and Mary Lou Rudolph bought the Superman, and Robin and Dick LaValley, Jr., went home with the Einstein painting.

    Some tried their strength on the BOYO, which uses kinetic and potential energy to lift the rider into the air. Angie and Kirk Dickson cruised through the Gravity Room and then sat for a bit to get their bearings.

    Seen were Dave and Charlene Czerniak, Thomas and Kelli Winston, Bob and Laura Schoonmaker, Ron and Patricia Hogue, Steve Cotner and Debby Peters, Neal and Jennifer Sahni, Jeff and Aimee Taylor, Marv and Nancy Robon, Pam and Bill Davis, Bob and Sue Savage, Keith and Susan Burwell, Beverly Karabin and Terry Netterfield, Danielle and Chad Corder, and Annabel and Dave Durbin.

    About $70,000 was netted thanks to everyone including the ticket ambassadors and volunteers.

    Restaurants included: Granite City Food & Brewery, Ruby Tuesdays, bd’s Mongolian Grill, Bravo! Cucina Italiana, Del Sol Restauant & Aqua Bar, Lazeez Restaurant & Deli, Max & Erma’s, The Beirut/Byblos/Poco Piatti, The Oasis Catering & Event Center, Zia’s, Zoup!, Maumee, Basin Street Grille, Black Kite Coffee, Cake Arts, Claddagh Irish Pub, DeGage Jazz Cafe & Degage Express, Flying Rhino Coffee & Chocolate, Nick and Jimmy’s Bar & Grill, and The Chocolate Shoppe

    Sponsors included: Comfort Line Fiber Frame, The Andersons, First Solar, KeyBank, Omni Source, Toledo Jet, Heidelberg Distributing Co., Pepsi Beverages Company, Flair, Libbey, Markey’s Rental & Staging, Arrow Print and Copy, Morgan, The Blade, 101.5 The River, 92.5 Kiss FM, Amlin & Associates Auction Services, Tito’s Handmade Vodka, Chicosun Las Vegas Flair Bartenders, and Sam Okun Produce Company.

    Former Past Grand High Priest of the Archmasons of the State of Ohio Robert Crabbs, center, joined several hundred people in attending this year's Adopt America Network benefit dinner at Stranahan Great Hall in South Toledo.
    Former Past Grand High Priest of the Archmasons of the State of Ohio Robert Crabbs, center, joined several hundred people in attending this year's Adopt America Network benefit dinner at Stranahan Great Hall in South Toledo.

    The 28th annual Very Special Evening dinner and auction took place on Oct. 11 at Stranahan Great Hall to benefit Adopt America Network, a nonprofit agency that for 30 years has helped connect special children with families.

    Several people with local connections are on the national advisory board, including Joy Farr, wife of Toledo native actor Jamie Farr.

    In honor of the founder, Richard K. Ransom, who also founded Hickory Farms, the Richard K. Ransom Award for Service to Children & Families was created this year and presented by Adopt America board president Sharon Gillespie. The nonagenarian was not able to be there but he sent a message via his granddaughter, Jessica Ransom, a board member, that proclaimed “I’m handsome, ornery, and still alive!”

    The recipient of the new award was the Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption.

    Like Mr. Ransom, the late Mr. Thomas dedicated his life to helping children grow up in loving families. In honor of the late Mr. Thomas, Wendy’s Franchisees of Great Toledo sponsored a champagne reception prior to the event.

    Emcee Tony Geftos of WTVG-TV, Channel 13, pointed out that another fitting commonality between Mr. Ransom and Mr. Thomas is the name Wendy. Two of the women who have been major forces at Adopt America and the dinner auction are Wendy Spoerl, president, and board member Wendy Sowers, of the Ransom Family Foundation, who volunteers as the auction coordinator.

    Among the 270 attendees at $150 each were Bud Crosby and Mary Gombash, John Martin, Julie and Jim Bartnik, Aaron and Trava Bieszczad, and several board members including Mike Hart, Bill McGinnis, Nick Cherry, Gary LaRoche, and Becky Williams.

    Live and silent auctions included art, home, and garden items, spirits, getaways, sports and entertainment packages, and a chocolate lab puppy. Auctioneer Jason Whalen breezed through them.

    Larry Boyer was delighted to win the bids for a Cob coinage necklace, a picnic for 100 at The Andersons Activity Building, and a pig roast for 100 by board member Tim Konieczny and VooDoo Q Barbeque Magic.

    Sponsors included The Andersons, Greater Toledo Wendy’s Franchisees, the Ransom Family Corporation, board members Letitia Marth and Paul Bishop, and many more including Best Western Falcon Plaza, Waterford Bank, and the Royal Arch Masons of Ohio, which presented a check for $19,000.

    Approximately $90,000 was raised and they are still counting. It will be added to the $2.8 million raised in the first 27 years that went directly to find families for more than 4,100 children.